Form for aligning masonry materials

ABSTRACT

An alignment tool, for aligning masonry structures, includes at least one pair of upright guides arranged on one side of the alignment tool for centering masonry materials such as blocks or bricks. In a first embodiment for use with laying bricks, other uprights are provided on an opposite sides of the alignment tool for aligning a center of a brick over or under a mortar joint and an additional pair of uprights are provided on one end of the alignment tool. In a second embodiment, an upright is provided along a central rib of the alignment tool for insertion into a hole in a brick. Method steps for using the tool are also disclosed.

There are no related patent applications.

This application did not receive any federal research and/or developmentfunding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a form for constructing andaligning masonries. The terms “masonry” or “masonries” are general termsrepresenting that which is built by a mason or anything constructed ofmasonry materials, such as bricks, blocks, stones, tiles or other suchmaterials used by a mason during a building or constructing process.More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a plasticform or gauge that is implanted in a wall for aiding in the layingprocess of the masonry materials. Thus, an unskilled homeowner mayeasily construct a masonry wall.

Masonry walls typically comprise bricks or blocks which are stacked orarranged in layers which are commonly referred to as “rows” or“courses”. Mortar is a limestone-based adhesive that is typically usedas a binding or bonding agent to adhere the bricks or blocks together.For purposes of this disclosure, the term mortar shall include anyadhesive for securing masonry materials together. When bricks or blocksare laid, the mortar is arranged on the top, bottom, and adjacent endsof each brick or block. A brick or block wall is constructed by firstlaying a foundation concrete upon which the brick wall is constructed. Afoundation of concrete is poured and allowed to cure such that it willsupport weight. Mortar is spread atop the foundation about one inch deepand eight inches wide, if a block wall is being laid. Preferably, afurrow is created in the center of the mortar to force mortar towardsthe edges of the brick or block. A narrower layer of mortar is spreadwhen constructing a brick wall since the standard size for Americanbricks is 8″ long by 4″ wide by 1⅝″ to 2¼″ thick.

There are two basic shapes of American bricks, cored bricks and solidbricks. A solid brick is devoid of internal openings. Cored bricks arebricks that include removed cores or internal openings extending fromone side of the brick through to an opposite side. These internalopenings reduce the weight of the brick, as well as the production costsassociated with reuse of the recycled material from the internalopenings. When cored bricks are laid, mortar enters the internalopenings to create a stronger or more durable bond between adjacentbricks that comprise a masonry structure. Likewise, a cinder blockcomprises core openings.

There are several prior art devices that have attempted in aiding anindividual in laying blocks. Some of these include spacing or formingdevices that fasten a brick or block to one another or to a backingpanel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,136 to Hodges discloses an interlockingspacer apparatus for masonry construction. The apparatus comprises apair of spaced saw-tooth shaped members with a plurality of bearingsurfaces that engage adjacent masonry members. U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,632to Pollina discloses a method of constructing a masonry structure usinga prefabricated wire support structure that has the shape of thestructure to be made. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,337 to Mills, a method andapparatus for constructing a masonry structure is disclosed. Theapparatus includes a rigid backing panel with rows of rectangularopenings formed therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,374,589 to Neal discloses a course spacer and mortarbarrier. The device includes an elongated, rectangular horizontal sheetof kraft paper. Projections provided along the sheet serve as guides foraligning bricks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,498 to Kanigan discloses a block orbrick guide. A plastic or metal web of material is provided with upperand lower projecting conical members with a surrounding edge band havinga thickness equal to the mortar joint between courses of bricks orblocks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,718 to Fox discloses a masonry block spacertool that includes two opposing base plates having ends that snap fittogether.

Still other alignment devices have been constructed for installing othermaterials including tiles, glass blocks and block walls. U.S. Pat. No.2,483,560 to Peterson discloses a bearing and spacing guide for glassblock construction. The guide includes spaced flanges connected by aweb. Lugs provide stability against tipping of the glass block. U.S.Pat. No. 5,259,161 to Carter discloses a vertical and horizontalreinforcing and spacing guide for panels constructed of blocks. Thedevice comprises a plurality of elongated reinforcing members. U.S. Pat.No. 5,288,534 discloses a tile spacer. The spacer includes a platformand a cross-shaped spacer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device and method for improving the field ofmasonry by aiding both the skilled and unskilled artisans in layingmasonry structures. In a first embodiment, an alignment device comprisesa lightweight material preferably of molded, extruded plastic, orcomposite material. The alignment tool may be formed from plasticsincluding, but not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,polyurethanes, and polyvinyl chloride, or any other thermoset materialshaving a roughened exterior. Moreover, the alignment device may comprisestamped metal pieces.

The alignment device includes a central support member that connects aplurality of external and internal alignment tools that causes bricks orblocks to be correctly stacked or aligned during the masonry buildingprocess. The alignment tools extend from one or more locations along thecentral support member or at either end thereof. In one embodiment, apair of block spacers is arranged at an end of a central support memberfor creating a uniform spacing between adjacent bricks in a tier. Thepair of block spacers may extend upward or downward as more fullydiscussed with respect to the drawings. A pair of horizontal alignmenttools extends from the central support member to form an extendedsupport interposed between a bottom surface of an upper brick and a topsurface of a lower brick. A pair of external face alignment tools arearranged at an end of the horizontal alignment tools for aligning thefront face of each brick as it is laid with the front faces of thebricks laid below. Upper and lower post aligners are provided for eitherbeing inserted into a core or being arranged in a mortar joint betweenadjacent bricks. These external and internal alignment tools align thecenter of gravity of each succeeding course of bricks atop thepreviously laid course. In this manner, the masonry structure is alwaystrue. A bottom surface of a brick rests on an upper surface of thecentral support member. The central support member preferably includesat lease one snap-off 21 zone arranged midway between each end of thecentral support member. Other snap off zones 21 may be provided atvarious locations along the central support member.

The horizontal alignment tool extends from a front side of the centralsupport member and is preferably the same height and thickness as thatof the central support member. After the masonry structure beingconstructed and prior to the bonding agent hardening, an end of thehorizontal aligner is arranged to be separated from the central supportmember. The horizontal alignment tool causes the central support memberto be properly aligned with the top of the brick arranged beneath thedevice and the bottom of the brick arranged above the device.

The horizontal alignment tool includes a flexible snap off member thatmay be struck with a trowel or twisted in a clockwise orcounterclockwise manner to remove the upright after the succeed layer ofbricks have been laid and prior to finishing the look of the mortarjoints after the masonry materials are laid. Moreover, the horizontalalignment tool is flexible to allow for deviations in the bottom of thebrick. The thickness of the snap off member is thinner than that of theeither the central support member or the horizontal alignment tool.

An external surface aligner extends from the front side of the centralsupport member and comprises a vertical upright having a centralattachment point that attaches to a flexible snap off member whichconnects at an opposite end to the horizontal alignment tool which inturn connects at an opposite end to the central support member. Thevertical upright serves for aligning the front faces of each tier oflaid bricks as well as a grip for twisting the external surface alignerto cause separation from the alignment device. The vertical uprightensures that the face of each brick is aligned with each successive onein elevation to make a straight masonry structure.

A lower internal vertical aligner extends downward from the centralsupport member and inserts into an opening on a brick arranged below thedevice to securely fasten the alignment device thereto or alternatively,the lower internal vertical aligner may be arranged in a mortar jointthat is arranged below the alignment device. In this manner, eachsucceeding tier of bricks are laid straight with the bricks below.

An upper internal vertical aligner extends substantially one inch upwardfrom the upper surface of the central support member and in oneembodiment includes a pointed end having two sloped edges. The upperinternal vertical aligner provides a post upon which the edges or theends of a pair of adjacent upper bricks are deposited and is arranged ina mortar joint. Alternatively, the upper internal vertical aligner isinserted into a core opening. Each internal vertical aligner issubstantially ⅞″ long; one is inserted into an opening in a brick foraligning each of the bricks by using the other internal vertical aligneras a reference.

A hoop fastener extends from a back side of the central support memberand secures the device to an exterior wall of a building or otherstructure where necessary. Otherwise, the fastener may include asnap-off zone for easy separation from the central support member.

Thus, the instant device is a formed spacing member that causes adjacentbricks in one layer of the wall to be properly spaced apart such thatthe proper amount of mortar is deposited between ends of adjacent bricksor blocks, while aligning the exterior front of the bricks or blockssuch that each succeeding tier is properly aligned with the tier below.Moreover, the spacing between adjacent ends of the bricks that arearranged end to end is uniform throughout the masonry structure.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved masonryconstructing method and devices therefore.

A further object of the invention to provide a device and method thataids unskilled workers in constructing masonry structures. Moreover, thedevice can also aid a skilled or master mason by allowing helpers toquickly lay the bricks or blocks thus making the master mason moreproductive and aiding him in quickly constructing masonry structures.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device thatreduces labor costs associated with constructing masonry structures.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device and methodthat provides more reliable and straighter walls that other alignmentdevices or techniques.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device and methodthat is easy to learn and to use such that an unskilled laborer mayconstruct a masonry structure.

The above and further objects, details and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description, when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the form andshown from a front side. FIG. 1B is a back perspective view of FIG. 1A.FIG. 1C depicts a brick being arranged onto the form. FIG. 1D is aperspective view of a masonry structure that is built using a pluralityof forms. FIG. 1E is a front elevated view of the masonry structure ofFIG. 1D.

FIG. 2A is a second embodiment of the form and shown from a front side.FIG. 2B is a back perspective view of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C depicts a brickbeing arranged onto the form. FIG. 2D is a perspective view of a masonrystructure that is built using a plurality of forms.

FIGS. 3A through 3D depict the steps of using the form shown in FIGS. 1Athrough 1E to create a masonry structure.

FIGS. 4A through 4D depict alternative steps of using the form shown inFIGS. 2A-2D to create a masonry structure.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the form andshown from a front side. FIG. 5B is a back perspective view of FIG. 5A.FIG. 5C depicts a brick being arranged onto the form. FIG. 5D is aperspective view of a masonry structure that is built using a pluralityof forms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention and the various features andadvantageous details thereof are more fully explained with reference tothe non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/orillustrated in the accompanying drawings and set forth in the followingdescription. It should be noted that the features illustrated in thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the features of oneembodiment may be employed with the other embodiments as the skilledartisan recognizes, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptionsof well-known components and techniques may be omitted to avoidobscuring the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely tofacilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may bepracticed and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments set forth hereinshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which isdefined by the appended claims. Moreover, it is noted that likereference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

FIG. 1 relates to an alignment device with a cored brick. The alignmentdevice 1 comprises lightweight molded or extruded plastic or compositematerial from plastics including, but not limited to, polyethylene,polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethanes, polyvinyl chloride, thermosetresins, polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, and othermixed resins that preferably includes a roughened exterior surface orexterior surface that allows the mortar to adhere thereto. Otherwise,the alignment device may comprise a composite material that is formed ora metal that is stamped or punched from a much larger sheet.

Alignment device 1 includes a plurality of alignment extensions(collectively element numbers 5, 6, 7, 9) which comprise respectivevertical elements. In other words, some of the alignment extensionsextend upwards; still others extend downward with respect to the upperand lower surfaces of the central support member 2. Each alignmentextension extends from a central support member 2. The central supportmember 2 provides a correct height between succeeding courses of brickssuch that when a plurality of the alignment devices are used, thecorrect amount of mortar is applied between each successive course ofbricks. The central support member 2 connects the plurality of alignmenttools that causes bricks or blocks to be correctly stacked during themasonry building process. A t-shaped end 10 is arranged at one end ofthe central support member 2 for providing a platform to which endextensions 9 are fixed. A bottom of a brick or block rests on an upperface of the central support member. At lease one snap-off region 21 maybe arranged midway between each end of the central support member 2.Other snap-off regions 21 may be provided as shown in the drawings.

One alignment extension 7, referred to herein as an “internal verticalaligner”, extends from an upper surface of the central support member 2in FIGS. 1A-E. Another alignment extension 6, also referred to as an“internal vertical aligner”, extends from a lower surface of the centralsupport member 2 in an opposite direction in FIGS. 1A-E. It should benoted that these alignment extensions 6, 7 are reversed in FIGS. 2A-2D.These alignment extensions 6, 7 cause the center of an upper brick to becentered over the mortar joint between adjacent bricks in a coursebelow. In this manner, the successive courses of bricks are correctlyaligned in a side-to-side manner as well as a front-to-back manner.Aligning the bricks correctly causes center loading of each successivecourse of bricks which in turn strengthens the masonry structure.

A pair of end extensions 9 is provided at one end of the central supportmember 2 for providing an accurate amount of mortar that should be usedto create a mortar joint between adjacent bricks. In FIGS. 1A-1E, theend extensions 9 extend upwards from a plane that is parallel to theupper surface of the central support member 2. In FIGS. 2A-2D, the pairof end extensions 9 extends downward from a plane that is parallel tothe lower surface of the central support member 2. The pair of endextensions 9 serves as spacing members causing adjacent bricks in onecourse of the masonry structure to be properly spaced apart such thatthe proper amount of mortar is deposited between ends of adjacent bricksor blocks. In this manner, vertical mortar joints between adjacentbricks are uniform in size.

Another pair of alignment extensions 5, referred to hereinafter as“external surface aligners”, extends from the front of the centralsupport member 2 to align exterior surfaces or front faces of bricks100. This in turn aids in centering the successive courses of bricksfrom front-to-back. A hoop fastener 8 extends from the back side of thecentral support member 2 to fasten the masonry wall to a solid structuresuch as a building.

The preferable dimensions of the devices shown in the figures include anoverall length of the central support member 2 including a T-shaped end10 is substantially seven inches (7″). The preferable length of eachspacing block 9 is one-half an inch (½″). Each spacing block 9 has anupper end or a lower end that is respectively elevated above a planeformed by the top surface of the central support member or respectivelyelevated below a plane formed by the bottom surface of the centralsupport member as more fully discussed hereinafter. The height of thecentral support member is substantially one half an inch (½″). Thepreferably thickness of the central support member 2 is substantiallywithin a range of one eighth an inch to one-quarter an inch (⅛″ to ¼″).

A back end of a horizontal aligner 3 extends from a front side ofcentral support member 2 and is preferably the same height and thicknessas that of the central support member 2. The horizontal aligner 3 causesthe central support member 2 to be properly aligned with the top of thelower brick and the bottom of the upper brick.

A back end of a flexible snap off member 4 extends from a front end ofthe horizontal aligner 3. An overall length of the horizontal aligner 3and the flexible snap off member 4 when added to the thickness of theexternal surface aligner 5 substantially equals two inches (2″). Alength of the flexible snap off member 4 is shorter than that of thehorizontal aligner 3. The thickness of the horizontal aligner 3 issubstantially the same as that of the central support member 2. Theflexible snap off member 4 is substantially 1/16″ thick and has ashorter length than that of the horizontal aligner.

An external surface aligner 5 extends from a front end of the flexiblesnap off member 4 which intersects it at a center of the back side ofthe external surface aligner which comes into contact with the faces oftwo stacked bricks. The overall vertical length or height of theexternal surface aligner 5 is approximately one and three-quarters andinch (1¾″). The thickness of the external surface aligner 5 issubstantially equal to the width of the flexible snap off member 4,which is preferably one-sixteenth an inch ( 1/16″). The external surfacealigner 5 extends from a front side of the central support member 2 viathe horizontal aligner 3 and snap off member 4. It comprises a verticalupright having a central attachment point that attaches to the flexiblesnap off member 4 which connects at an opposite end to a horizontalaligner 3. The external surface aligner 5 serves for aligning exteriorfaces of bricks above and below the device 1, as well as providing agrip for twisting the external surface aligner 5 to detach it from thecentral support member 2, preferably at the snap off member 4. Theexternal surface aligner 5 may also be easily separated by striking itwith an end or edge of a trowel.

An internal vertical aligner 7 extends from an upper face of the centralsupport member 2. The internal vertical aligner 7 is formed to be easilyseparated from the central support member 2 by striking it with atrowel. Alternatively, when the alignment device comprises metal, theinternal vertical aligner 7 may be removed by either twisting orsnipping it off with pliers or tin snips. The thickness of eitherinternal vertical aligner is substantially one-half an inch (½″) wideand having a height of one and one-quarter an inch (1¼″) and a thicknessof one-eighth an inch (⅛″). An end of the internal vertical aligner 7opposite the central support member 2 is preferably shaped with a peakarranged along its width and having two sloped edges as shown.

Another internal vertical aligner 6 extends downward from a bottom sideof the central support member 2 and inserts into a central or coreopening on a lower brick to securely fasten the alignment device 1 tothe lower brick. In FIGS. 1A-1E, the internal vertical aligner 7 extendsupward from the upper surface of the central support member 2 andprovides a post upon which the upper brick is deposited such that theinternal vertical aligner 7 extends into an internal opening of theupper brick. When the internal vertical aligner 6 and the internalvertical aligner 7 extend into an opening of a respective brick andbetween mortar joints of two bricks below, the upper brick isautomatically aligned with the mortar joint between the adjacent lowerbricks. In this manner, the center of gravity for the upper brickautomatically is centered over the center of gravity for the lowerbrick. The internal vertical aligner 6 is shaped like an arrow as shown.In this manner, the outlying areas 6A, 6B easily slide into an openingor between a mortar joint arranged between adjacent bricks. The outlyingareas 6A, 6B, thereafter resist any forces that tend to displace theinternal vertical aligner 6 from within the core opening or mortarjoint.

Hoop fastener 8 secures a brick or block wall to an exterior wall of abuilding, when necessary. It should be noted that the hoop fastener 8can be provided in a variety of shapes. The hoop fastener 8 alsoincludes a snap off zone 21 near the central support member 2.

As can be readily understood from FIGS. 1C-1E, the internal verticalaligner 6 is inserted into the central core opening 105 of brick 100.The core opening 105 extends from an upper surface 103 throughout to thebrick 100 to exit at the lower surface (not shown). The brick 100 restsatop the upper surface of the central support member 2, t-shaped end 10and horizontal extension 3. The brick includes brick ends 101 and frontface 102. Preferably, the bottom surface of the brick 100 remains abovethe snap off member 4 without actually coming into contact therewith.This aids in the ease of separating an attached external surface aligner5. As can be readily understood from FIGS. 1D and 1E, a plurality ofthese alignment devices 1 may be intermediately arranged between coursesof bricks. In this instance, end extensions 9 extend upward to provide astop for one end of the brick 100. Internal vertical aligner 6 extendsdownward to create an appropriate sized mortar joint between adjacentbricks. Internal vertical aligner 7 extends into a core opening tocenter an upper brick between two adjacent bricks below. In the deviceof FIGS. 2A-2D the end extensions 9 extend downward; whereas theinternal vertical aligners 6, 7 are reversed such that internal verticalaligner 6 extends into the core opening while internal vertical aligner7 extends into the mortar joint between two adjacent bricks. It shouldbe noted that in FIGS. 1 and 2, mortar is not shown for ease inunderstanding the invention.

FIGS. 3A-3E discloses steps for constructing a masonry wall with thedevice of FIGS. 1A-1E. Initially, footer 150 is poured with concrete andallowed to harden. Next a layer of mortar 110 is spread onto the uppersurface of the footer 150. A first brick 100 is then centered andarranged atop the mortar 110. An end of a second brick is buttered andthe second brick is placed adjacent the first brick. The verticalalignment tools 6, 7 are removed from the central support member 2,along with the hoop fastener 8. The central support 2 is then separatedat its center preferably along a snap off zone 21 to create a half-sizedalignment device shown as the rightmost device of FIGS. 3B-3D. Thehalf-sized alignment device is arranged on the right side of the firstbrick. A third brick is then buttered and laid against the second brick.

Next, the vertical alignment device 6 from a whole alignment device isforced into the mortar joint between the first and second bricks of thefirst course. Additional bricks are added to the first course along withadditional alignment devices as mentioned. After the first course hasbeen laid, and all of the alignment devices are in place, a brick isbroken in half. Half of the brick is then buttered on the bottom sidewith mortar and arranged atop the half-sized alignment device.Alternatively, a layer of mortar may be deposited atop one or more ofthe alignment devices and leveled with the upper surface of the centralsupport member 2 and horizontal aligners 3 by using a trowel as ascreed. The tip of the trowel may be rested on the upper surface of thecentral support member and gently glided along its length until contactwith the vertical alignment tool 7 is made. The tip of trowel may bedriven up one side of the vertical alignment tool 7 and down the otherside and continued along the remaining length of the upper surface ofthe central support member 2.

Another brick is then buttered on one end and inserted such that thecentral core rests atop the vertical alignment tool 7. The buttered endcomes into contact with a surface of the end extensions 9. The contactsurface is on a side opposite the t-shaped end 10. As can be understood,the end extensions 9 provide a preferred one-half inch (½″) betweenadjacent bricks. Additional bricks are buttered and arranged atop thealignment devices as shown in FIG. 3C. Thereafter and prior to a finaldressing of the mortar with a striker, the external surface aligners 5are removed from the central support member 2.

FIGS. 4A-4E discloses steps for constructing a masonry wall with thedevice of FIGS. 2A-2D. Initially, footer 150 is poured with concrete andallowed to harden. Next a layer of mortar 110 is spread onto the uppersurface of the footer 150. A first brick 100 is then centered andarranged atop the mortar 110. An end of a second brick is buttered andthe second brick is placed into place adjacent the first brick.

Next, a vertical alignment device 6 is forced into the center coreopening of the first brick of the first course. The end extensions 9 arealso arranged over an end of the first brick. Additional bricks areadded to the first course along with additional alignment devices asmentioned. After the first course has been laid, and all of thealignment devices are in place, a brick is then buttered on the bottomside with mortar and arranged atop the first alignment device.

Alternatively, a layer of mortar may be deposited atop one or more ofthe alignment devices and leveled with the upper surface of the centralsupport member 2 and horizontal aligners 3 by using a trowel as a screedas mentioned above. In FIGS. 4A-4D, the end extensions 9 extend downwardover an end of the first brick as shown. In the second course, a halfbrick is then buttered and laid onto the first alignment device. Next, awhole brick is buttered and butted against the vertical alignment device7.

Additional bricks are buttered and arranged atop the alignment devicesas shown in FIG. 4C while arranging further alignment devices asdiscussed above. Thereafter, all of the courses of bricks are laid.Prior to a final dressing of the mortar with a striker, the externalsurface aligners 5 are removed from the central support member 2 asshown in FIG. 4D. It is important to note that the external surfacealigner should be disengaged before the adhesive rigidly bonds thebricks together.

FIGS. 5A-D relate to an embodiment that may be used with cored and solidbricks alike. In this instance, one of the internal vertical aligners 7is removed. Also, triangular extensions 19 are provided atop endextensions 9. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the triangular extensions 19extend upward and include a side that is arranged against an end of thebrick. These extensions 19 may include snap off zones 21 as shown. Thetriangular shape is especially useful in that it does not interfere withthe internal vertical aligner 6 when a masonry structure is created. InFIGS. 5A-5D, a second pair of external surface aligners 15 are arrangedto come into contact with a back face of a brick. A graduated extension17 extends from one of the external surface aligner 15, preferably theone distal from the end extensions 9. The graduated extension ispreferably one inch (1″) in length and having graduated marks everyseven-eighths (⅞″). It is useful in determining irregular shaped bricks.

Other snap off zones 21 are preferably arranged within the alignmentdevice 1 and include a structurally or mechanically weakened region thatis thinner than surrounding regions on either side thereof for ease inseparating a portion of the alignment device. Preferably, snap off zonesare provided in several locations between the central support member andany aligners, spacing blocks, fasteners or extensions. A snap off zonemay be preferably provided midway between the ends of the centralsupport member such that the alignment device may be easily divided intohalves. Scoring or perforations may be provided to implement the snapoff zones. In this manner, the snap off zones maintain the structuralintegrity of the alignment device including resisting either tension orcompression forces until such time as a mason removes the desiredportion of the alignment device.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exactconstruction illustrated and described above, but that various changesand modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and thescope of the invention as defined in the following claims. While theinvention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, itis intended that all matter contained in the above description or shownin the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative andnot in limiting sense. From the above disclosure of the generalprinciples of the present invention and the preceding detaileddescription, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend thevarious modifications to which the present invention is susceptible.Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by thefollowing claims and equivalents thereof.

1. A process for creating a masonry structure comprising: providing afirst plurality of alignment devices, each alignment device comprising:a central support member having two ends, a upper face, a lower face, afront face, a back face and a center arranged midway between the twoends; a pair of spacing blocks extending from one end of the supportmember, the spacing blocks being easily separated from the centralsupport member; a pair of lateral projections extending from the frontface of the central support member, each lateral projection having anupper face, a lower face, a front end and a back end, the back end ofeach lateral projection in contact with the front face of the centralsupport member; an upright extending from the front end of each lateralprojection to form a vertical member that aligns front faces of stackedbricks, said upright having a front face, a back face, an upper end, alower end, and a center arranged midway between the upper end and thelower end, said back face of the upright being intersected atsubstantially the center by a respective lateral projection; and, analignment post extending from one of either the upper face or the lowerface of the central support member; pouring a foundation; allowing saidfoundation to cure; spreading an adhesive on a top surface of thefoundation; laying a first course of masonry materials; securing asecond plurality of alignment devices to a top surface of the firstcourse of masonry materials; aligning and laying a second course ofmasonry materials atop the second plurality of alignment device; andthereafter laying additional courses of masonry materials and securingadditional alignment devices to a top surface of each additional courseof masonry material except the final course.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein said spreading an adhesive includes spreading mortar.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising aligning an alignment device byinserting a vertical alignment tool into a center core of a brick. 4.The method of claim 1 further comprising aligning an alignment device byinserting a vertical alignment tool into a mortar joint between adjacentbricks.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing a portionof one of the alignment devices.
 6. A form for aligning masonrymaterials comprising: a central support member having two ends, an upperface, a lower face, a front face, a rear face and a center arrangedmidway between the two ends; a pair of spacing blocks extending from oneend of the support member, the spacing blocks being easily separatedfrom the central support member; a pair of lateral projections extendingfrom the front face of the central support member, each lateralprojection having an upper face, a lower face, a front end and a backend, the back end of each lateral projection in contact with the frontface of the central support member; an upright extending from the frontend of each lateral projection to form a vertical member that alignsfront faces of stacked bricks, said upright having a front face, a backface, an upper end, a lower end, and a center arranged midway betweenthe upper end and the lower end, said back face of the upright beingintersected at substantially the center by a respective lateralprojection; and, an alignment post extending from one of either theupper face or the lower face of the central support member.
 7. The formof claim 6 further comprising an additional alignment post extendingfrom a face of the central support member opposite the alignment post.8. The form of claim 6 further comprising a hoop fastener extending fromthe rear face of the central support member.
 9. The form of claim 6further comprising spacing blocks having one of an upper face thatextends upwards through a plane created by the upper face of the centralsupport member or that extends downward through a plane created by thelower face of the central support member.
 10. The form of claim 6further comprising one or more snap-off zones arranged between thecentral support member and one or more selected from a list consistingof the spacing blocks, the lateral projection, the center of the centralsupport member, the alignment post and the uprights.
 11. The form ofclaim 6 wherein said form comprises lightweight molded or extrudedplastic or composite material selected from a group consisting ofpolyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethanes, polyvinylchloride, thermoset resins, polyethylene terephthalate, high densitypolyethylene, and other mixed resins and having a roughened exteriorsurface.
 12. The form of claim 6 comprising metal.
 13. The form of claim6 further comprising a t-shaped end arranged at an end of the centralsupport member and to which the spacing blocks are attached.
 14. Analignment device that arranges individual bricks that comprise a masonrystructure, said alignment device comprising: a central support memberhaving a t-shaped end, an upper face upon which at least a portion of abottom surface of a brick rests, a lower face, a front face, a rearface; end extensions fixed to the t-shaped end of the central supportmember for providing an appropriate width of a mortar joint betweenadjacent bricks; an internal vertical aligner extends from one of eitherthe upper face or the lower face of the central support member to causethe center of an upper brick to be centered over the mortar jointbetween adjacent bricks in a course laid below; a pair of externalsurface aligners extending from the front face of the central supportmember to align front faces of bricks; and, a hoop fastener extendingfrom the rear face of the central support member to fasten the masonrystructure to a building.
 15. The alignment device of claim 14 furthercomprising an additional internal vertical aligner extending from a faceof the central support member opposite the alignment post.
 16. Thealignment device of claim 14 wherein the end extensions fixed to thet-shaped end of the central support member comprise spacing blockshaving one of an upper face that extends upwards through a plane createdby the upper face of the central support member or that extends downwardthrough a plane created by the lower face of the central support member.17. The alignment device of claim 14 further comprising one or moresnap-off zones arranged between the central support member and one ormore selected from a list consisting the t-shaped end, the endextensions, the internal vertical aligner, the pair of external surfacealigners, and the hoop fastener.
 18. The alignment device of claim 14wherein the alignment device comprises metal.
 19. The alignment deviceof claim 14 further comprising a second pair of external surfacealigners extending from the rear face of the central support member toalign back faces of bricks.
 20. The alignment device of claim 19 whereinone of the second pair of external surface aligners includes aperpendicular extension having graduated marks thereon.